Nanyuki War Cemetery

• Country Kenya
• Total identified casualties 200 Find these casualties
• Identified casualties from Second World War
• GPS Coordinates Latitude: -0.00053, Longitude: 37.10035

Location information

Nanyuki is located about 165 kilometres north of Nairobi, on the north-western side of Mount Kenya. The Cemetery is about 4 kilometres along a rough road from the town centre. From Nanyuki's shopping area turn right onto the road to Mount Kenya Safari Club. The cemetery is down the road on the left hand side, set well back with the grassed entrance drive marked by boundary stones. The route is signposted from the centre of town.

Visiting information

ARRIVAL

The route to the cemetery is signposted.

PARKING

It is possible to park along the access track, which leads to the cemetery from the main road.

The ground is flat and firm, the surface is loose gravel aggregate. The distance is approximately 15 metres from the main entrance.

ACCESS, LAYOUT AND MAIN ENTRANCE

The main entrance is approximately 2 metres wide, with a double gate opening inwards into the cemetery. There is a small stone gate stop in the centre of the entrance opening.

The main entrance paving is a semi-circular area bound on either side by raised stone kerbs, approximately 10 cm higher than the entrance paving.

All the internal paths are grass, the ground is flat and firm. There are raised stone kerbs creating corridors leading to the Cross of Sacrifice in the centre of the cemetery and to the different plots. The ground adjacent drops off up to 50 cm from these kerbs in certain areas.

The cemetery is a square shape with smaller burial plots spaced around the cemetery.

The Register Box is at the main entrance gate, built into one of the main gate pillars on the inside of the cemetery.

There is a wooden bench located at the rear of the cemetery.

ALTERNATIVE ACCESS

There is no alternative public access to the cemetery.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The cemetery is open from 0600 hrs to 1800 hrs every day. Outside of these hours the entrance gates are padlocked for security.

Normal working hours are as follows: Monday to Friday 0830 hrs to 1200 hrs then 1330 hrs to 1630 hrs.

For visitors arriving outside normal working hours please call the CWGC (Commonwealth War Graves Commission) administrative office on (00254 202604301) for the padlock access code.

History information

During the Second World War, Nanyuki was the rail head for the advance into Ethiopia, via Isiolo, Marsabit and Wajir, and was also an important advance base for the Royal Air Force.

The war cemetery was started during hostilities by the Army, the first burial taking place in February 1940. In 2008 the nearby Civil Cemetery burials were transfered here.

Nanyuki War Cemetery now contains 196 Commonwealth burials of the Second World War. There are also 36 non-war burials and one Abyssinian war grave in the cemetery.